The destroyer Ross heads into the Black Sea, via the Dardanelles strait, while tensions remain elevated in the region between Russia and Ukraine. (MC2 John Herman / Navy)

The destroyer Ross is heading into the Black Sea on Wednesday, a 6th Fleet release said, to “promote peace and stability” in the region as tensions mount between Russia and Ukraine.

The Ross and the French ship Commandant Birot will be on patrol. The ships are are arriving after the exit of the cruiser Vella Gulf, which began making its way back to its Norfolk, Virginia, home port in late August.

“Ross’ presence in the Black Sea serves to demonstrate the United States’ commitment to strengthening the collective security of NATO allies and partners in the region,” the 6th Fleet release said.

The Vella Gulf spent much of the summer on patrol in the Black Sea. Ross, homeported in Rota, Spain, is on its first ballistic missile defense patrol since its home port shift in June and first deployment since 2010.